Kamp Krusty Announces: The ONE (Professor) Campaign to End Poverty

Food for thought, from my venti coffee cup:

The measure of genuine civilization, it has been said, is the quality of life for a nation's poorest and least privileged people. By that measure, we are barbarians. Our current level of inequality cannot be justified or sustained.
--Robert W. McChesney Author, media critic and professor at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Amen, Professor.  I don't know if he wrote that from his University office, or from his own home in the leafy, Urbana, Illinois neighborhood that we wanted to live in, but couldn't afford to. Doesn't matter.  What is noteworthy is that we have become like those barbarians, who were apparently chiefly noted for their inequalities of income. 

He's right.  But we need to think globally, too. That's why I'd like to propose a new global ONE campaign, a ONE campaign that ends poverty in Africa, one professor at a time.

The ONE (Professor) Campaign to End Poverty

Yes, this can work.  According to the American Association of University Professors, there are 122,000 full professors in the U.S., and nearly 200,000 more assistant and associate profs.  According to the ONE Campaign, if we give $25 bilion to Africa by 2010, we will reduce poverty by half!

The great news:  If American professors give half their gross income for just five years, that's $59 billion dollars -- enough to nearly completely wipe out poverty in Africa!

Yes, that's sacrifice, but not much, really.  Professor McChesney, for instance, hates inequalities, and surrendering half his income will still leave a gaping chasm between his lifestyle and the typical African's.  (Full professors in the U.S. make, on average, $95k per year.  Associates make $67k, assistants $56k.)  His lifestyle would yet be comfy, if perhaps less, relatively, kingly than the one he currently can lead.

It's a simple solution.  It will set a great example for all of us.  ONE professor at a time, ONE commitment to lifestyle change for the poor, and poverty is history.  This will likely mean fewer trips to Europe, yes.  And, in high cost-of-living areas, like Manhattan, forced experiences in communal living, eschewing the bourgeois concept of "private property."  Utopia!

Sure, this does involve a bit of sacrifice, which is somewhat foreign to the original ONE Campaign.  (Click here and see their "action" points, involving such sacrifices as wearing a cool wristband.  Orlando Bloom, does, you know.) 

There is, of course, this small matter:  The ONE approach doesn't tend to, you know, "work".  But let's set that aside for now.  This is simple.  ONE professor at a time, backing up her words with action, eradicating nearly all poverty in Africa by the end of 2010. 

There is reason for concern.  Professors tend to be liberals, and political liberals just aren't generous.  They like to keep their money.  They like nice things, and wind up conserving more stuff for themselves than, say, conservatives.  But when given the opportunity to make a difference on this scale, you know they'll put their dollars where their coffee cup quotables are. 

If they don't, well, we'd have to suspect they really don't believe what they're saying.  Say what you want about Ted Haggard, but he says he's sorry.

After all, making an actual, longitudinal, hope-inspiring difference in the life of a child, through already-existing, grassroots structures run by nationals?  That's thirty-two hard-earned dollars a month.  But "standing up for justice"?  It's priceless.  Literally.  It doesn't cost anything.   

And I know our academics will more than take a stand.  They're no barbarians.  I, for one, welcome our new leaders-by-example, and salute them.

Comments

[Rich]

Why are you picking on me and my kind? At the very least you can exempt those of us who teach in business schools since we all know that all of the nonliberal professors are to be found there!

Rich Martin

[Brant]

Truth is, I'm still simmering over the spanking you gave me at IMPE on the court. I distinctly remember you were taking off to dunk on me. At least I had the presence of mind to flagrantly foul.

[Fay (Hola!) Shakes]

This will definitely cost you the Democratic nomination. Starbucks, celebrities, professors, liberals -- how many extra shots were in that venti?

You've pretty much covered all my problems w/ the ONE campaign -- which I nevertheless support. Remember when it first started and Bono said "We're not asking for your money -- we're asking for your voice?"

I remember thinking, OK, so my voice *alone* is going to provide mosquito nets, clean syringes, AIDS education and wells? All I have to do is write my senator or congressman?

Uh-huh. Much too easy.

[richmart]

Thanks for the reminder that I used to set foot on a basketball court. Given the shape that I'm now in, I may need to call you as a witness to that fact at some point in the future.

Seriously, though, I thought that the charitable giving study was one of the more incredible things that I've heard about recently. I often get scoffed at by colleagues for suggesting the idea that there is such as thing as compassionate conservatism.

One thing that I hope the book addresses is what happens to conservative giving when religious conservatives are excluded. The reason I say this is that I know a lot of conservatives, especially those that lean towards libertarianism, who seem to view being conservative as a convenient way to ignore the poor. I wonder how much of the charitable giving differential is due to religious conservatives giving to their churches.

[Brant]

Fay, we ARE called to sacrifice the $199 for the RED iPod. And we can buy "Ethos" brand water at Charbucks, which makes you an enlightened citizen of the world.

Rich, I refuse to believe that you are now unable to dunk. "Rich Martin", by definition, dunks. And he has a quick turnaround, and Kevin McHale-inspired post moves. That IS Rich Martin.

No question that a particular strain of conservatism is, putting it mildly, a complex defense of selfishness. Ayn Rand comes to mind.

James Q. Wilson, the eminent sociologist, says this charity study is the best he's seen. But I don't think the results are terribly surprising. Jibes with my personal experience in raising money for the poor, and my personal experience with my personal self: I'm more apt to give when I'm grateful.

Whatever might recommend it, modern liberalism cannot be associated with gratitude.

[Steve_11]

Here, here Brant!

If only we could lump into the equation the loud-mouthed Hollywood and other entertainment world types, we could "End Poverty" in Africa, and probably India and Pakistan too!

Apparently all it takes more money. Just like our public education system - Just look how successful Washington DC has been with twice the money per student as the rest of the country.

Quiz time: Who was it that said: "You will always have the poor"?

And who the heck is Rich Martin?

[Jeff]

Hey, I'm in. Consider my half of someone else's salary too. That is the real issue isn't it?

When quotables tell us how much of a difference one person can make, they have already made their copntribution by being quotable.

Kevin McHale inspired? That's something to avoid seeing... I know I played against him once.

[T Freeman]

Your numbers are indeed shocking--if they're right, I'm working for the wrong university.

[euphrony]

To such great sarcasm, I cannot respond without totally offending approximately three-quarters of the population. The other one-quarter will chuckle silently.

[Brant]

The salary stats are also from the American Association of University Professors.

Jeff, you actually played against McHale? Do tell.

And Steve, don't act like you don't know who Rich Martin is.

[Brody Harper]

I love it. Brant, I have a feeling you are way smarter than me, which isn't all that fair, because you seem to be better looking too... I bet your dad can beat up my dad...

[Shawn B.]

Brant, I believe the point here is charity. While the liberals are all for "charity"(with other peoples money as they do not seem to argue against conservatives on tax breaks, which is a whole other issue) most are not willing to show true charity. Charity comes from the heart and is meaningless otherwise. If I had the correct acronyms behind my name, I too could freely publish the answers to solving all the worlds problems. But unfortuanantly I don't and I am forced to voice my opinions here at "Kamp Krusty".

[Brant]

Thanks, Brody. I am happy: My wife seems to think I'm cute as a button.

As for smarts, I tend not to blog about my daily doofus...ness..or however it should be put. I'll blog about this, soon, and you'll reconsider...

[shaun groves]

Amen. You're a genius and all that stuff...

AND

In fairness to the prof in question, do we actually know what he/she is doing for the poor? Maybe someone should just ask. I think I will.

[Brant]

Ooh! Do it, Shaun!

I can tell you, the neighborhood he lives in is in distinct contrast to the typical poverty in Africa, and even distinct contrast from many other neighborhoods in his own city. But perhaps he's still giving away his university and book income to live in equality with the poor, somehow.

Maybe his house is filled with poor immigrants. I have to admit, I don't know. Perhaps there's not a yawning gap between his lifestyle and that of the poor. Perhaps he will deign to demonstrate that for you.

If there is no such gap, I will buy a Starbucks franchise for you.

[richmart]

I think the McHale comparison ends with the black Converse basketball shoes that I wore.

Also, I may have spoken too quickly. I don't know that I can't still dunk since I haven't tried in over 10 years!

And to answer the question...Who is Rich Martin? U of I alum born and raised in central Illinois now living in Athens, GA. I've been lurking for a few months and thought it would be fun to join in.

[Brant]

Rich used to have a significant vertical, in addition to a keen mind for culture and economics.

It was either a middling-type career in the NBA's developmental league, or the apparent fallback option, teaching at the University of Georgia.

Rich, T Freeman, above, teaches business at Palm Beach Atlantic University. You and he can get the ball rolling, here, by voluntarily donating half your salary. Please know, I admire both of you for this.

[Pinky-Wink]

"A true understanding and humble estimate of oneself is the highest and most valuable of all lessons. To take no account of oneself, but always to think well and highly of others is the highest wisdom and perfection. Should you see another person openly doing evil, or carrying out a wicked purpose, do not on that account consider yourself better than him, for you cannot tell how low you will remain in a state of grace. We are all frail; consider none more frail than yourself."
- Thomas A. Kempis

One need not be shot to protest killings, need not be aborted to desire to stop abortion, need not be poor to desire economic justice.
- Pinky-Wink

[shaun Groves]

I e-mailed him. BCC to Brant.

Ball's in his court.

[Ken Ross]

Brant,

I like your idea. My brother is a Professor at Northern Illinois University
in good ole DeKalb. Your home state Mr.Hansen. I'll have to run this by him and get his opinion.
The pic of you and your family is great. Take care.
KR

[T Freeman]

I have several problems with your proposal that Rich and I "get the ball rolling" with this "campaign." My top ten reasons (sorry, Dave) for blowing you and Africa's poor off are:

10. Your tag line said "ONE professor at a time", remember?

9. I already have an Ipod.

8. Your plan's "current level of inequality cannot be justified or sustained."

7. McChesney must come from one of those schools where liberal crap like this is more highly prized than actual thinking AND a decent athletics program put together.

6. We professors live in that ivory tower to avoid uncomplicated ideas and real world involvement just like this.

5. I like Bono's campaign better.

4. Let me guess, Robert W. McChesney doesn't teach business.

3. I've always wanted to be a barbarian.

2. You're right--people who talk for a living love to volunteer others for actual work . . . jerks.

1. I'm a lawyer.

[Brant]

Pinky,

I appreciate the sentiment, and agree with it. Truth is, I don't consider myself better than the professor cited above, who makes some trenchant critiques of modern media, or any prof, for that matter.

It so happens, though, that bad ideas can, and should be challenged.

While indeed, "one doesn't need to be aborted to desire to stop abortion," one *should* be prepared to live in accordance with that which he prescribes for others.

I'm also afraid you've changed the subject from protesting inequalities to desiring "social justice", a term easily and often used, but rarely defined.

It so happens that a critique of liberal giving patterns (cited in the original entry) has it that liberals tend to merely invoke "social justice", rather than personally practicing charity. In that sense, if one a) equates "social justice" with an elimination of significant disparities, and b) advocates for social justice, one *should*, in fact, be expected to practice what he preaches.

If a TV preacher were to protest economic inequality, but live a lifestyle that's simply royal in comparison to others he could help, he might aptly be called to put his money where his preaching is. That call would not be illegitimate.

[T Freeman]

By the way, I'll be the blue professor, if that's not already taken.

[Jeff]

Against him may have been overstated.... He was often on the other team in our High School's summer pick-up games at open gym. He was 6'9" I was 5'10"... I stayed outside!
Kevin grew up in Hibbing, where before a huge growth spurt he was actually a hockey player! I grew up in "Basketball town" five miles away and our gym was the one that was open 364 days a year!

So here is how I always think of KM in the post... his 8 foot wingspan stretched straight up, his barrel chest stuck way out, and his feet rising an amzing 32 centimeters off the floor at full leap! Spin, shoot, rebound, shoot, rebound...score. It got him to the NBA!

[Jeff]

T Freeman -
I love #s 6, 2 and 1. I nearly fell off my chair!